If you would, I would like you to give this question some serious thought. “What was the lowest point in your life?” That time when the light at the end of the tunnel turned out to be an oncoming train. You prayed and it seemed that those prayers never made it past the ceiling. You so desperately wanted to find some shred of hope to grab hold of. These times try every part of us including our faith. During these times we ask, “Where is God?” Not because we don’t believe in Him but because we feel so alone. We long for someone to come along side us and put their arm around us and say it’s going to be okay. These are the dark valleys that the Psalmist seems to know all too well. Can I be blunt for a second? It’s during these times that those Christian platitudes such as, “everything has a purpose” doesn’t do a thing except making me want to slap you upside the head. In these dark valleys we often find ourselves asking questions and not finding any answers. Today, once again we are going to turn to the twenty-third psalm and learn more of how the Shepherd handles His sheep. If we pay close attention to David’s words we will find out how to make some sense out of those times in the dark valley. More importantly we will discover where God is during these trying times.
I. Shepherds regularly lead their flocks through valleys.
A. The valley was often the easiest way to get the sheep to the best pastures.
1. During the winter and spring months the sheep were usually kept in a pen in the areas of lower elevations.
2. As summer came the shepherd would then begin to move their sheep to the higher elevations where the winter snows and spring rains have brought to life rich green pastures.
3. Leading the sheep during the summer would be hot and grueling as the sheep move along quite slowly.
4. The Shepherd would lead his sheep through the valleys because they had the best paths and the gentlest grades.
5. The valleys also provided the best supply of food and water along the journey.
6. Leading the sheep through the valleys would allow the shepherd the least difficult way to reach the higher elevations.
B. The valleys were often very dangerous but they were still usually the best route.
1. The valleys may have made the travel the easiest for the shepherd and their sheep but it also presented some very dangerous challenges.
2. The valleys often had many cliffs and crags that afforded predators the opportunity to hide and watch for an opportune time to attack the flock.
3. The valley would also offer adequate hiding places for robbers.
4. The most dangerous threat to the sheep traveling through the valleys was the natural disasters.
a. Rock and mud slides.
b. Unexpected storms of wind, rain, sleet and snow.
c. Devastating flash floods that could occur without warning.
C. Our Shepherd will only lead us down the best path that will get us to where He wants us to go.
1. Like the ancient shepherd God knows exactly the right path to lead His sheep down.
2. God will always be able to provide care for His sheep even during the most adverse circumstances.
3. Like with the sheep for us to reach the higher ground we must travel through the valleys.
4. However, God does not leave us in the valley, He gently leads us through the valleys and on toward the higher ground.
II. The shepherd’s presence makes all the difference for the sheep.
A. The absence of danger is not what comforts the sheep; it is the presence of the shepherd.
1. During the summer as the sheep made their way toward the higher ground the sheep enjoyed intimate one on one time with the shepherd.
2. The sheep were able to rest and feel secure not because there was no impending danger but based on the fact that their shepherd was with them.
3. Sheep are timid by nature and the only way they would travel willingly through these dark valleys was because their shepherd was always within sight.
4. The sheep knew that their shepherd would care for them and protect them based on their past experience with him.
B. The shepherd is always alert and prepared for any kind of danger.
1. The shepherd would constantly pay attention to the sky and his surroundings watching for potential danger.
2. The shepherd would scope out the landscape to find safe shelter for him and his sheep if it would be needed.
3. The shepherd was also equipped to be able to repel any attacks and to keep their sheep from straying.
4. The rod was the shepherd’s main weapon to protect the sheep from attacks and a symbol of his protection and authority.
a. The rod was literally an extension of the shepherd’s own hand and could be devastating to whatever threatened the sheep.
b. The rod would also be used to correct wayward sheep.
5. The staff is a long slender stick with a hook on one end that is essential to managing the flock.
a. The staff is used to bring sheep close to himself.
b. The staff is used to guide the sheep in the right direction.
c. The staff is used to lift sheep out dangerous messes they have gotten themselves into.
C. Our greatest comfort should be found in the presence of the Shepherd.
1. When we realize that God is with us and able to protect us regardless of the situation our hearts should find comfort.
2. Remember the promise from the Hebrew writer? “Because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5b—NIV 2011)
3. The rod of protection is a symbol for God’s Word which provides us direction and comfort. It allows us to know that our Shepherd is always with us.
4. The staff is a symbol for the Holy Spirit which guides and comforts us.
5. Knowing that God uses His rod and staff for our benefit will allow us to better be able to feel secure in His presence.
III. The times spent in the valleys are never wasted time.
A. The valleys enable us to experience the Shepherd’s presence on deeper levels.
1. More is learned about the character and faithfulness of the Shepherd in these dark valleys.
2. The valleys are always scary but God has a message for us, “Fear not for I am with you.”
3. Each time we make it through a valley we learn that God is faithful because He has backed up His promises with action.
4. Our Shepherd can handle anything. So we can move through the valley without fear.
5. Consider these words of David. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3—NIV 2011)
B. The valleys shape us into the person that God wants us to be.
1. As we travel through the valley the Shepherd helps us find the strength and nourishment that we need to continue the journey.
2. In these valleys experience will teach us that God is with us every step of the way.
3. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33—NIV 2011)
4. The experiences in the valleys teach us to trust the Shepherd as well as strengthening us.
C. The valleys enable us to appreciate and more fully enjoy the higher ground.
1. We all have traveled through some very frightening valleys. We all have felt totally alone.
2. These valleys allow us to better experience God’s presence, protection and guidance.
3. Each time we make it through the valley we rejoice and are better able to appreciate the blessings of the high ground.
4. The blessings that we discover at our destination are always greater than the pain of going through the valley.
5. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2—NIV 2011)
6. It’s of no benefit to know this Psalm if we will not trust in God who is making this promise.
A husband went to see the doctor for his annual checkup. After the checkup the doctor asked the man’s wife to come into his office to discuss her husband’s condition. When she got in the office she asked the doctor what was wrong. He said, "Well maam, your husband has a very rare disease. Unless you start cooking him three meals a day, giving him a massage every day, and take off his shoes for him every day he is going to die!" After the woman heard this news she left the office and proceeded to drive her husband home. While riding home the husband could see a look of concern on his wife’s face so he said, "Honey why are you so upset, what did the doctor tell you?" The woman said to her husband, "Honey, the doctor said you are going to die!"
